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Time is running out for Ben Donaldson at the NSW Waratahs.
The 24-year-old has long promised plenty but continues to underachieve. Midway through the season, he’s uncontracted for next year.
A player with immense potential, his struggles have reflected his side’s patchy season to date.
On Friday, the Waratahs snuck home in what was a woeful second half performance.
While they continue to show up in defence, their attack is struggling. This is a side with five Wallabies in its backline, Max Jorgensen a Wallaby-in-waiting and winger Dylan Pietsch, a former Australian sevens star and the most consistent back since 2022, in it.
It’s not helped by the light tight-five the Waratahs have, with Angus Bell’s injury in the first round a huge blow.
But Donaldson, who has the ability to play flat at the line and has a big boot on him, looks short on confidence.
This issue is, he hasn’t kicked on like many hoped since debuting in 2020.
Ben Donaldson’s struggles continued against the Highlanders on Friday. Photo Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
His inability to find touch from a penalty in the 73rd minute almost came back to bite the Waratahs, while his goal-kicking continues to haunt him too.
Donaldson was a controversial pick by Eddie Jones for his first training camp last month.
Jones stood by his selection when probed, pointing to some vision he saw of him late last year for Australia A and some touches for the Wallabies.
We saw glimpses of that against the Highlanders, where Donaldson took the ball to the line and almost put through Pietsch. But he needs to assert himself more.
But how he fares over the next month could well determine the Waratahs’ season and, indeed, his World Cup fate.
MASTER VS APPRENTICE
Let’s make one thing clear, Michael Hooper will be on the flight with Eddie Jones to France in August.
But whether he starts remains to be seen.
It could well be determined by the second half of the Super Rugby season because at present, Fraser McReight is still ahead of him.
McReight was the Reds’ best during their important win over the Force on Saturday and importantly his timing at the ball on the deck remained first class. He is at the top of his game at the moment.
The No.7s will go head-to-head on Saturday in Townsville as the Reds host the Waratahs. It is the key match-up.
Fraser McReight wil go head-to-head with Michael Hooper next weekend. Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images
While Hooper isn’t nearly as effective on the ball as McReight, what can’t be underestimated is the veteran openside’s work-rate. It has always been his point of difference.
The question is, even if Hooper is first-choice No.7, should he start every match in the jersey?
In the modern age, where flankers put their body through the ringer every time they take the match, could the pair rotate throughout the World Cup or Hooper come off the bench?
In Hooper’s best tournament in 2015, he missed two matches, including against Wales. David Pocock also missed their quarter-final against Scotland.
BRUMBIES ARE THE REAL DEAL
The Brumbies might have dropped their second straight match against New Zealand opposition across the ditch, but there were plenty of positives out of it.
Even without Len Ikitau and Pete Samu, and a couple of dodgy decisions from the referee and his assistant, the Brumbies showed they can still go toe-to-toe with one of New Zealand’s best even when they were physically beaten.
Corey Toole once again showed how rapid he is and is surely in Eddie Jones’ calculations.
But just as important the former sevens star showed he is physically up to it, too.
Tom Wright, meanwhile, continues to shine.
While Jones could well want a banker at fullback, Wright is developing like Willie le Roux.
D-MAC’S TIMELY RE-SIGNING
The Chiefs are flying and so is their mercurial playmaker Damian McKenzie.
McKenzie, 28, re-signed with the Chiefs for a further two years over the weekend.
It was a fine piece of business by New Zealand Rugby because with Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga leaving to Japan following the World Cup, Scott Robertson needed a playmaker with Test experience to ensure their well-oiled machine continues.
The loss of McKenzie would have been disastrous and robbed Super Rugby of even more star power.
Indeed, the loss of Mo’unga and Barrett will be telling next year.
McKenzie’s Chiefs, meanwhile, continued on their winning ways, notching their ninth straight victory by knocking over the Crusaders at home.
They are certainly the favourites, but you wouldn’t bet your life on them.
The Crusaders were unfortunate to only score one try in the first half despite dominating territory, as Angus Gardner’s TMO denied the Kings of Super Rugby twice.
WHY RUGBY AUSTRALIA IS RIGHT TO BACK THE WOMEN’S GAME
Anyone questioning why RA is backing the women’s game only need to look up north.
It was only a year ago England’s women’s side packed out Welford Road.
Now more than 58,000 have turned up at Twickenham to watch the Red Roses secure the Six Nations grand slam by knocking over France in a beauty.
The women’s game is gaining real traction in England while the French side came close to knocking over Zealand at Eden Park in last year’s semi-final and their club competition is thriving.
On Sunday, Australia’s Super W competition delivered two compelling semi-finals.
While the competition has plenty of work to do, Fijiana Drua overturned a 17-nil scoreboard to knock over the NSW Waratahs 20-17 in a thriller.
In the second semi-final at Concord Oval, Queensland Reds snuck home against the ACT Brumbies 23-20 in a thriller.
Much more investment needs to be done in the grassroots of the game.
The Wallaroos also need to be supported by the Australian sevens team.
A handful of players from the women’s program at certain times and targeted competitions could see them rocket into contention at the 2025 World Cup.
Christy Doran’s Australian Super Rugby team of the week:
James Slipper, Alex Mafi, Zane Nonggorr, Nick Frost, Jed Holloway, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Corey Toole, Lalakai Foketi, Josh Flook, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Wright.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.